Apparatus for and method of discharging tape

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for and method of discharging a cover tape. The apparatus includes a tape collector including an inlet through which a top cover tape is introduced into the tape collector, an outlet through which the top cover tape is discharged from the tape collector, and a passage formed inside the tape collector to receive the top cover tape from the inlet and guide the top cover tape to the outlet; and a discharge guide rotatably installed inside the tape collector, the discharge guide being rotated to open the outlet by a pushing force exerted by the top cover tape fully filled in the passage, the discharge guide returning to an original position to close the outlet after the top cover tape filled in the tape collector is discharged through the outlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0075308, filed on Aug. 9, 2006, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for discharging a tape, and more particularly, to an apparatus for receiving and discharging a top cover tape in a tape feeder.

2. Description of the Related Art

A tape feeder is used in a component mounter such as a chip mounter to supply components. A chip mounter is a device that mounts components such as semiconductor chips on a printed circuit board at desired positions. Various components are supplied to the chip mounter in various ways, and the chip mounter mounts the components on a printed circuit board using a suction nozzle or the like.

Components are supplied to the chip mounter in various ways depending on the working conditions and component properties. For example, trays are used to supply relatively large components. However, trays are not suitable to supply small components. When very small components such as semiconductor chips are mounted on a printed circuit board, the components may be lost or damaged while being transported. Further, it is difficult to pick up the small components one by one. Furthermore, the small components are easily damaged by environmental agents such as dust.

Therefore, a tape roll as shown in FIG. 1 is used. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional tape roll used for a tape feeder. The tape feeder supplies components using a tape roll having a tape rolled thereon and very small components are attached at predetermined intervals on the tape.

In detail, the tape roll includes a tape 2, receiving regions 2 a formed on the tape 2 at predetermined intervals, components 5 such as semiconductor chips accommodated in the receiving regions 2 a, and a top cover tape 2 b that covers a top surface of the tape 2 to seal the components 5. A plurality of perforation holes 2 c are formed at both sides of the tape 2 at predetermined intervals.

The tape feeder feeds the tape 2 to a component mounter. In detail, the tape feeder unwinds the tape 2 and simultaneously removes the top cover tape 2 b from the tape 2 to expose the components 5. A robot picks up the components 5 from the tape 2 using a suction nozzle and transports the components 5 to a predetermined position of a printed circuit board.

The top cover tape 2 b separated from the tape 2 can be removed by a rolling method or a discharging method using a tape discharging apparatus.

In the rolling method, a separated top cover tape is wound around a reel. However, a winding force can vary as the diameter of the rolled top cover tape increases. As a result, a pick-up point can be deviated, and thus the operation of the tape feeder may be affected. Further, since only a limited amount of top cover tape 2 b can be wound around the reel, the component mounter should be stopped to replace the reel around which the top cover tape 2 b is fully wound with a new reel, and then the component mounter can be operated again.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a conventional tape discharging apparatus. The tape discharging apparatus of FIG. 2 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Number 2003-188584. In the disclosed tape discharging apparatus, a top cover tape 10 separated from a tape is first accommodated in a tape collector 6. When the tape collector 6 is fully filled with the top cover tape 10, the top cover tape 10 is discharged from the tape collector 6.

The top cover tape 10 fully filled in the tape collector 6 is discharged to the outside through an outlet. A door 7 coupled to the outlet is kept in a closed position by a magnet 8 attached to one side of the outlet. When the top cover tape 10 is fully filled in the tape collector 6, the top cover tape 10 pushes the door 7. If the pushing force exerted by the top cover tape 10 exceeds the magnetic force exerted by the magnet 8, the door 7 is rotated and the outlet is opened.

However, such a conventional tape discharging apparatus has a disadvantage in that the top cover tape 10 is not uniformly filled in the tape collector 6.

Generally, since the tape collector 6 has an inlet narrower than the outlet, the top cover tape 10 is filled around the inlet more densely than around the outlet.

Further, the conventional tape discharging apparatus includes two rollers 3 and 4 to draw the top cover tape 10 by passing the top cover tape 10 between the rollers 3 and 4. However, since the top cover tape 10 is flexible, the top cover tape 10 is largely bent while passing between the rollers 3 and 4. Therefore, the top cover tape 10 cannot be uniformly filled in the tape collector 6. That is, the top cover tape 10 is concentrated in a narrow region such as the inlet, and thus the density of the top cover tape 10 varies over the entire area of the tape collector 6.

Therefore, the inlet of the tape collector 6 is congested with the top cover tape 10, and it is difficult to move top cover tape 10 inside the tape collector 6. As a result, the top cover tape 10 cannot apply a sufficient force to the door 7 for opening the outlet. In this case, a tape feeder cannot separate the top cover tape 10 from a tape, and thus the tap feeder cannot supply components. As a result, the component mounter has to be stopped.

In addition, when the door 7 is opened and the top cover tape 10 filled in the tape collector 6 is discharged, it is inconvenient for an operator to manually return the door 7 to its original position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for smoothly receiving and discharging a top cover tape.

The present invention also provides an apparatus for automatically discharging a top cover tape fully filled in a tape collector.

The present invention further provides an apparatus in which a top cover tape piles up uniformly.

The present invention further provides an apparatus in which a top cover tape is formed with a longitudinal groove and is introduced into a tape collector, so that the top cover tape can advance straight with less bending.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for discharging a tape, the apparatus including: a tape collector including an inlet through which a top cover tape is introduced into the tape collector, an outlet through which the top cover tape is discharged from the tape collector, and a passage formed inside the tape collector to receive the top cover tape from the inlet and guide the top cover tape to the outlet; and a discharge guide rotatably installed inside the tape collector, the discharge guide being rotated to open the outlet by a pushing force exerted by the top cover tape fully filled in the passage, and the discharge guide returning to an original position to close the outlet after the top cover tape filled in the tape collector is discharged through the outlet.

The discharge guide may include one end hinged to an upper wall of the passage and other end extending from the hinged end toward a lower wall of the passage, wherein the discharge guide is rotated up to open the outlet by a pushing force exerted by the top cover tape fully filled in the passage and rotates downward by its weight after the top cover tape is discharged.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for discharging a tape, the apparatus including: a tape collector including an inlet through which a top cover tape is introduced into the tape collector, an outlet through which the top cover tape is discharged from the tape collector, and a passage formed inside the tape collector to receive the top cover tape from the inlet and guide the top cover tape to the outlet; a door coupled to a lower portion of the outlet and rotatable in a vertical direction to open and close the outlet; and a discharge guide including one end hinged on an upper wall of the passage, a connecting portion formed on other end of the discharge guide and inserted into an elongated slot of the door, and a supporting portion extending from the connecting portion to an outside of the door and supporting the door, wherein when the discharge guide is rotated up by a pushing force exerted by the top cover tape fully filled in the passage, and the supporting portion of the discharge guide passes through an extension slot formed on an upper end of the elongated slot of the door to allow the door to rotate down so as to open the outlet.

The inlet may be higher than the outlet, and the passage may slope down from the inlet to the outlet.

The passage may include: an inlet passage extending from the inlet and having a height increasing from the inlet to an inside of the passage; and an outlet passage formed between an inner side of the discharge guide and an inner wall of the passage, the outlet passage having a height decreasing toward the outlet when the discharge guide closes the outlet.

The apparatus may further include a tape pulling unit including a first gear and a second gear that are engaged with each other and receive the top cover tape therebetween, and the tape pulling unit may be disposed at the inlet to insert the top cover tape into the tape collector through the inlet.

The first gear may include a protruded portion formed along its circumference, and the second gear may include a groove formed along its circumference in correspondence with the protruded portion of the first gear, wherein the protruded portion of the first gear presses the top cover tape against the groove of the second gear so as to form a groove in the top cover tape in a longitudinal direction of the tape.

The tape pulling unit may further include an inlet guide disposed at a side of the second gear to guide the top cover tape passing between the first and second gears toward the inlet of the tape collector.

According to a further another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of discharging a tape, the method including: passing a top cover tape between a first gear and a second gear that are engaged with each other and disposed at an inlet of a tape collector so as to introduce the top cover tape into the tape collector through the inlet; filling a passage of the tape collector with the top cover tape as the top cover tape moves into the passage; allowing the top cover tape fully filled in the tape collector to push up a discharge guide rotatably mounted on an upper wall of the passage and closing an outlet of the tape collector, so as to open the outlet and discharge the top cover tape filled in the passage to an outside of the tape collector; and after the top cover tape filled in the passage is discharged, allowing the discharge guide to rotate down by its weight to close the outlet and returning to the passing of the top cover tape.

The passing of the top cover tape may include pressing the top cover tape between a protruded portion formed along a circumference of the first gear and a groove formed along a circumference of the second gear in correspondence with the protruded portion of the first gear, so as to form a groove in the top cover tape in a longitudinal direction of the tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional tape roll used for a tape feeder;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a conventional tape discharging apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view illustrating a tape feeder with a tape discharging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a tape discharging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a tape pulling unit of the tape discharging apparatus depicted in FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating a top cover tape after the top cover tape passes through the tape pulling unit depicted in FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating how a top cover tape is pulled by the tape pulling unit of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating how a top cover tape is introduced into a tape collector of the tape discharging apparatus depicted in FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating how a top cover tape is discharged from the tape discharging apparatus depicted in FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the tape discharging apparatus depicted in FIG. 9 when a discharge guide has returned to its original position after a top cover tape is discharged from the tape discharging apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tape discharging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view illustration an operation of the tape discharging apparatus depicted in FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating how a tape is discharged from the tape discharging apparatus depicted in FIG. 12, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a method of discharging a tape according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view illustrating a tape feeder with a tape discharging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the tape discharging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The tape discharging apparatus 100 is used in the tape feeder of a component mounter. When assembled, the tape feeder is attached to one side of the component mounter. The tape feeder includes a tape separating unit 101 and the tape discharging apparatus 100. The tape separating unit 101 separates a top cover tape from a top surface of a carrier tape on which chips are attached. The separated top cover tape is fed to the tape discharging apparatus 100 where the tape is discharged into a tape collector 110.

The tape discharging apparatus 100 receives a top cover tape stripped from a carrier tape and discharges the top cover tape to the outside.

In the current embodiment, the tape discharging apparatus 100 includes the tape collector 110 and a discharge guide 120. The tape collector 110 has an inlet 111 and an outlet 112, and the discharge guide 120 opens and closes the outlet 112. The tape discharging apparatus 100 is included in the tape feeder to discharge a used top cover tape to the outside.

A top cover tape is introduced into the tape collector 110 through the inlet 111 and is discharged to the outside through the outlet 112. In the tape collector 110, a passage 113 is defined between the inlet 111 and the outlet 112. A top cover tape introduced through the inlet 111 is accommodated in the passage 113 and discharged through the outlet 112.

The inlet 111 may be higher than the outlet 112. In this case, the passage 113 slopes down from the inlet 111 toward the outlet 112. Because of this arrangement of the inlet 111, the outlet 112, and the passage 113, a top cover tape introduced into the tape collector 110 through the inlet 111 can smoothly move to the outlet 112 by its weight and a pushing force applied by entering into the tape collector 110.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a tape pulling unit 130 of the tape discharging apparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The tape discharging apparatus 100 may further include the tape pulling unit 130 to pull a top cover tape into the passage 113 through the inlet 111. The tape pulling unit 130 is installed at the inlet 111 and includes first and second gears 131 and 135. The first and second gears 131 and 135 are engaged with each other and rotate simultaneously, and a top cover tape is transferred between the first and second gears 131 and 135.

The first gear 131 may include a protruded portion 133 formed along its circumference. As shown in FIG. 5, the protruded portion 133 may be a washer fitted around a groove formed in the circumference of the first gear 131. Alternatively, the protruded portion 133 can be formed integrally with the first gear 131. The second gear 135 includes a groove 136 formed along its circumference in correspondence with the protruded portion 133 of the first gear 131.

The tape pulling unit 130 may further include an inlet guide 139. The inlet guide 139 guides a top cover tape toward the inlet 111. Since a top cover tape is flexible, the top cover tape can be bent toward and around the second gear 135 after passing between the first and second gears 131 and 135. For this reason, the inlet guide 139 is disposed at a side of the second gear 135 to guide the top cover tape to pass between the first and second gears 131 and 135 toward the inlet 111 without failure.

In the current embodiment, the inlet guide 139 is disposed at a side of the second gear 135. Alternatively, the inlet guide 139 can be disposed at a side of the first gear when a top cover tape is bent toward the first gear 131 after passing between the first and second gears 131 and 135.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating a top cover tape 10 after the top cover tape 10 passes through the tape pulling unit 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the engaged first and second gears 131 and 135 rotate, the protruded portion 133 of the first gear 131 and the groove 136 of the second gear 135 are in engagement with each other. Therefore, when passing between the first and second gears 131 and 135, the top cover tape 10 is deformed by the protruded portion 133 and the groove 136, a groove 11 being thereby formed along the length of the top cover tape 10. In detail, when the top cover tape 10 passing between the first and second gears 131 and 135, the protruded portion 133 presses the top cover tape 10 against the groove 136. Thus, the groove 11 can be formed on the top cover tape 10 in an advancing direction of the top cover tape 10 as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating how a top cover tape is pulled by the tape pulling unit 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When a top cover tape 10 is introduced into the tape collector 110 through the inlet 111 after passing through the tape pulling unit 130, the top cover tape 10 is not readily bent since the groove 11 is formed in the top cover tape 10. In a conventional tape discharging apparatus, since a flexible top cover tape is easily bent at an inlet of a tape collector, the top cover tape is irregularly folded, and thus the tape collector is filled with the irregularly folded tape from the inlet. However, in the current embodiment, the top cover tape 10 is not easily bent at the inlet 111 of the tape collector 110 because of the groove 11 formed therein. Thus, the top cover tape 10 can advance straight along the passage 113 of the tape collector 110.

Therefore, in the current embodiment of the present invention, the top cover tape 10 can be more uniformly filled in the tape collector 110, reducing the possibility of substantially more densely gathering in a certain area of the tape collector 110.

The tape discharging apparatus 100 includes the discharge guide 120 hinged on an inner wall of the tape collector 110. In detail, one end of the discharge guide 120 is attached to an upper wall of the passage 113 by a hinge 121, and other end of the discharge guide 120 extends from the end attached to upper wall of the passage 113 toward a lower wall of the passage 113. Therefore, the discharge guide 120 can be vertically rotated about the hinge 121.

When the top cover tape 10 is fully filled in the passage 113, the discharge guide 120 is rotated up since the filled top cover tape 10 presses the discharge guide 120. Thus, the outlet 112 is opened, and the top cover tape 10 is discharged from the tape collector 110.

After the top cover tape 10 is discharged to the outside, the discharge guide 120 rotates downward by its weight, and thus the outlet 112 is closed.

The passage 113 formed inside the tape collector 110 includes an inlet passage 114 and an outlet passage 115. The inlet passage 114 adjoins the inlet 111 and increases in height in a direction away from the inlet 111.

The outlet passage 115 adjoins the outlet 112. The outlet passage 115 is defined between an inner surface of the discharge guide 120 and an inner wall of the passage 113. The outlet passage 115 decreases in height in a direction toward the outlet 112.

When the discharge guide 120 is closed, the inlet passage 114 and the outlet passage 115 are substantially symmetric with respect to a vertical centerline of the tape collector 110. Thus, the inlet passage 114 and the outlet passage 115 have substantially the same slope, but opposite directions.

In a conventional tape discharging apparatus, since an outlet passage has a higher height than an inlet passage, a top cover tape is not uniformly filled in a tape collector. That is, the top cover tape is densely filled in the narrow inlet passage but is not densely filled in the outlet passage.

As described above, in the current embodiment, the inlet passage 114 and the outlet passage 15 have substantially the same slope, but opposite directions, so that the top cover tape 10 can be uniformly filled in the passage 113 from the inlet 111 to the outlet 112.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating how a top cover tape is introduced into the tape collector 110 of the tape discharging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a view illustrating how a top cover tape is discharged from the tape collector 110 of the tape discharging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the tape discharging apparatus 100 when the discharge guide 120 has returned to its original position after a top cover tape is discharged from the tape discharging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An operation of the tape discharging apparatus 100 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 through 10.

In a component mounter, the tape discharging apparatus 100 discharges a top cover tape 10 separated from a carrier tape (not shown).

The top cover tape 10 separated from the carrier tape is inserted into the tape collector 110 through the inlet 111 by the tape pulling unit 130. That is, the top cover tape 10 is inserted into the tape collector 110 after passing between the engaged first and second gears 131 and 135.

When the top cover tape 10 passes between the first and second gears 131 and 135, the protruded portion 133 (refer to FIG. 5) of the first gear 131 presses the top cover tape 10 against the groove 136 (refer to FIG. 5) of the second gear 135. As a result, the top cover tape 10 can be formed with a groove 11 (refer to FIG. 6) along its length. After that, the top cover tape 10 is directed toward the inlet 111 of the tape collector 110 without bending in a rotation direction of the second gear 135 since the discharge guide 120 disposed at a side of the second gear 135 guides the top cover tape 10.

The top cover tape 10 enters the tape collector 110 through the inlet 111. In the tape collector 110, the top cover tape 10 is not easily bent because of to the groove 11 formed along the length of the top cover tape 10. Thus, the top cover tape 10 can advance straight along the passage 113 in the tape collector 110.

As the component mounter continues to operate, the top cover tape 10 is continuously separated from the carrier tape and collected into the tape collector 110, and thus the tape collector 110 is uniformly filled with the top cover tape 10 as shown in FIG. 8.

The top cover tape 10 filled in the passage 113 of the tape collector 110 moves along the passage 113 toward the outlet 112 by its weight and a pushing force applied by entering into the tape collector 110. The inlet 111 is higher than the outlet 112, and the passage 113 slopes down from the inlet 111 to the outlet 112, so that the top cover tape 10 can smoothly move to the outlet 112 along the passage 113.

The discharge guide 120 stays in a downwardly-rotated position by its weight, and thus a free end of the discharge guide 120 makes contact with a lower wall of the passage 113. Therefore, the outlet passage 115, which is formed by the discharge guide 120 and the passage 113, decreases in height in a direction toward the outlet 112. The shape of the outlet passage 115 corresponds to that of the inlet passage 114, which is formed adjacent to the inlet 111 and increases in height in a direction away from the inlet 111. Therefore, the density of the top cover tape 10 filled in the passage 113 does not substantially vary from the inlet 111 to the remote outlet 112. That is, the top cover tape 10 is uniformly filled in the passage 113 of the tape collector 110.

When the top cover tape 10 is fully filled in the passage 113 of the tape collector 110, a pushing force is applied to an inner surface of the discharge guide 120 because of the weight of the folded top cover tape 10 and a pushing force applied by entering of the top cover tape 10 into the inlet 111. As a result, the discharge guide 120 is rotated upwards and the outlet 112 is opened. The top cover tape 10 filled in the passage 113 is discharged to the outside through the opened outlet 112 as shown in FIG. 9.

When a certain amount of the top cover tape 10 is discharged from the tape collector 110, the pushing force acting on the discharge guide 120 reduces, and thus the discharge guide 120 rotates downward toward its original position by its own weight as shown in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the outlet 112 is closed by the discharge guide 120. As the component mounter continues to operate, the top cover tape 10 separated from the carrier tape is introduced into the tape collector 110. When the tape collector 110 is fully filled with the top cover tape 10 again, the discharge guide 120 is rotated up, and the outlet 112 is opened as described above. In this way, the top cover tape 10 can be repeatedly discharged.

A tape receiving box (not shown) can be disposed under the outlet 112 of the tape collector 110 to receive the top cover tape 10 discharged from the tape collector 110. Then, when the tape receiving box is filled with the discharged top cover tape 10, an operator can empties the tape receiving box.

In the tape discharging apparatus 100 of the current embodiment, the top cover tape 10 is not discharged to the outside until a certain amount of the top cover tape 10 is filled in the tape collector 110. That is, a predetermined amount of top cover tape 10 is discharged from the tape discharging apparatus 100 at a time. Therefore, when a component mounter operates, a used top cover tape 10 can be efficiently discharged, and thus the surroundings of the component mounter can be kept clean since the top cover tape 10 in not discharged at random.

Furthermore, the top cover tape 10 can be uniformly filled in the tape collector 110 and discharged regularly from the tape collector 110 by the discharge guide 120. That is, although conventional component mounters should be stopped and thus chips cannot be supplied when a used top cover tape is not smoothly discharged due to the top cover tape being concentrated and compressed around an inlet of a tape collector, the tape mounter employing the tape discharging apparatus of the present invention can supply chips stably without this problem.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a tape discharging apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The tape discharging apparatus 200 of the current embodiment is used in a tape feeder of a component mounter to receive and discharge a top cover tape separated from a carrier tape.

In the tape discharging apparatus 200 of the current embodiment, a top cover tape filled in a tape collector 210 is discharged to the outside when a discharge guide 220 is rotated up by a weight of the filled top cover tape like in the tape discharging apparatus 100 of the previous embodiment. However, in the current embodiment, the tape discharging apparatus 200 includes a door 240 at an outlet 212 of the tape collector 210. The door 240 interlocks with the discharge guide 220.

The tape discharging apparatus 200 of the current embodiment includes the tape collector 210 having an inlet 211 and the outlet 212, the door 240 installed on the outlet 212, and the discharge guide 220 hinged on the tape collector 210 and interlocked with the door 240.

A top cover tape is introduced into the tape collector 210 through the inlet 211 and discharged to the outside through the outlet 212. A passage 213 is formed in the tape collector 210 from the inlet 211 to the outlet 212. A top cover tape introduced through the inlet 211 is accommodated in the passage 213 and is guided to the outlet 212 along the passage 213.

The tape discharge apparatus 200 may further include a tape pulling unit 130 that pulled a top cover tape towards the inlet 211. The tape pulling unit 130 includes a first gear 131 and a second gear 135 that are disposed at the inlet 211. The first and second gears 131 and 135 are enmeshed and rotate simultaneously, and a top cover tape passes between the first and second gears 131 and 135.

The first gear 131 may include a protruded portion 133 formed along a circumference. The protruded portion 133 may be a washer fitted around a groove formed in the circumference of the first gear 131. The second gear 135 may include a groove 136 formed along its circumference in correspondence with the protruded portion 133 of the first gear 131.

The tape pulling unit 130 may further include an inlet guide 139. The inlet guide 139 guides a top cover tape toward the inlet 211.

The tape pulling unit 130 of the current embodiment has the same structure and function as that of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5. Thus, detailed description of the tape pulling unit 130 will be omitted.

The door 240 is coupled to the outlet 212. The door 240 is hinged on a lower end of the outlet 212, such that the door 240 can rotate up and down to close and open the outlet 212.

Like in the previous embodiment, the discharge guide 220 of the current embodiment is rotated upward by a pushing force exerted by a top cover tape fully filled in the passage 213. However, in the current embodiment, the discharge guide 220 does not directly open or close the outlet 212. Instead, the discharge guide 220 opens or closes the outlet 212 by interlocking with the door 240.

The discharge guide 220 is rotatably coupled to an upper wall of the passage 213 by a hinge 221 formed on one end of the discharge guide 220. A connecting portion 222 is formed on the other end of the discharge guide 220 and is inserted into an elongated slot 241 formed in the door 240, and a supporting portion 223 extends to an outside of the door 240 from the connecting portion 222.

The elongated slot 241 of the door 240 is vertically formed, and an extension slot 242 is connected to an upper end of the slot 241. The connecting portion 222 of the discharge guide 220 is inserted into the elongated slot 241 of the door 240. When the discharge guide 220 rotates about the hinge 221, the connecting portion 222 can move along the elongated slot 241. When the connecting portion 222 is inserted into the elongated slot 241, the supporting portion 223 keeps the door 240 in a closed position. The supporting portion 223 has a width larger than that of the elongated slot 241, such that the supporting portion 223 cannot pass through the elongated slot 241.

The extension slot 242 connected to the upper end of the elongated slot 241 is sized such that the supporting portion 223 of the discharge guide 220 can pass through the extension slot 242. Therefore, when the discharge guide rotates up, the connecting portion 222 can move up to the extension slot 242 along the elongated slot 241, and then the supporting portion 223 can be inserted into the extension slot 242. As a result, the door 240 can rotate down to open the outlet 212.

In the tape discharge apparatus 200 of the present invention, when the passage 213 of the tape collector 210 is fully filled with a top cover tape, the discharge guide 220 is rotated up and the outlet 212 is opened. Here, the door 240 is rotated downward by interlocking with the discharge guides 220, and thus the outlet 212 is opened. After the top cover tape is discharged to the outside through the opened outlet 212, the door 240 is not automatically closed although the discharge guide 220 rotates downward by its weight. Thus, an operator may rotate upward the door 240 and pass the supporting portion 223 through the extension slot 242 of the door 240 to couple the discharge guide 220 and the door 240 to close the outlet 212.

FIG. 12 is a view illustration an operation of the tape discharging apparatus 200 depicted in FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a view illustrating how a tape is discharged from the tape discharging apparatus 200 depicted in FIG. 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When a top cover tape 10 is introduced into the tape collector 210 through the inlet 211 after passing through the tape pulling unit 130, the top cover tape 10 is not readily bent since a groove 11 (refer to FIG. 6) is formed in the top cover tape 10. Therefore, the tape collector 210 can be uniformly filled with the top cover tape 10 without a region overfilled with the top cover tape 10.

When the top cover tape 10 is being filled into the tape collector 210, the door 240 keeps the outlet 212 closed. The discharge guide 220 is hinged to the upper wall of the passage 213 by the hinge 221 formed on one end of the discharge guide 220. The connecting portion 222 formed on the other end of the discharge guide 220 is inserted into the elongated slot 241 of the door 240, and the supporting portion 223 extending to an outside of the door 240 from the connecting portion 222 is used to support the door 240.

When the top cover tape 10 is fully filled in the passage 213 of the tape collector 210, the discharge guide 220 is rotated up by a pushing force exerted by the filled top cover tape 10. When the discharge guide 220 is rotated upward, the connecting portion 222 of the discharge guide 220 moves up along the elongated slot 241. When the connecting portion 222 reaches the extension slot 242 formed on the top end of the elongated slot 241, the supporting portion 223 passes through the extension slot 242, such that the door 240 can rotate down to open the outlet 212. Here, the top cover tape 10 fully filled in the passage 213 pushes the door 240 as well as the discharge guide 220, the supporting portion 223 can automatically pass through the extension slot 242 without an additional manipulation of an operator. After that, the top cover tape 10 fully filled in the passage 213 is discharged to the outside through the opened outlet 212.

In a conventional tape discharging apparatus, an outlet is closed by a door using a magnet, and when a force applied to the door by a top cover tape filled in the tape collector is greater than a magnetic force of the magnet, the door is rotated to open the outlet. Therefore, in the conventional tape discharging apparatus, the discharging time of the top cover tape is determined by the strength of the magnet.

When the tape collector is large, a large amount of top cover tape can be accommodated in the tape collector. Thus, in the conventional tape discharging apparatus, the tape collector can be emptied after a long time using a strong magnet. On the contrary, when the tape collector is small, only a small amount of top cover tape can be accommodated in the tape collector. Thus, the tape collector can be frequently emptied using a relatively weak magnet. That is, since it is difficult to precisely adjust tape discharging time in the conventional tape discharging apparatus, the top cover tape is not stably discharged from the tape discharging apparatus, and thus the efficiency of a component mounter decreases.

However, in the tape discharging apparatus of the present invention, a top cover tape can be stably discharged to the because the discharge guide is hinged to the upper wall of the passage of the tape collector. That is, when the top cover tape is fully filled in the passage of the tape collector, the discharge guide is automatically rotated upward to open the outlet by a pushing force exerted by the filled top cover tape. Therefore, tape discharging time can be adjusted to a desired level by designing the discharge guide based on the size of the tape collector.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a method of discharging a tape according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the tape discharging method of the current embodiment, a top cover tape is introduced into a tape collector through an inlet in operation S100. The introduced top cover tape moves in the tape collector in operation S200. A discharge guide is rotated upward to discharge the top cover tape to the outside in operation S300. The discharge guide rotates downward to close an outlet in operation S400.

Specifically, in operation S100, a top cover tape is pulled into the tape collector through the inlet by passing the top cover tape between first and second gears that are disposed at the inlet.

In operation S100, a groove can be formed along a length of on the top cover tape. For this, the top cover tape may be pressed by a protruded portion formed along a circumference of the first gear and a corresponding groove formed along a circumference of the second gear.

Because of the groove formed in the top cover tape, the top cover tape is not readily bent and thus advances straight in a passage of the tape collector. Therefore, the top cover tape can be uniformly filled in the tape collector, and thus a locally overfilled region is not present in the tape collector.

In operation S200, the top cover tape introduced into the tape collector advances along the passage of the tape collector and fills the passage. Operations S100 and S200 are associated. That is, operation S200 can be performed after the top cover tape is introduced through the inlet in operation S100.

In operation S300, the top cover tape fully filled in the tape collector pushes up a discharge guide rotatably mounted on an upper wall of the tape collector to open the outlet of the tape collector, and thus the filled top cover tape is discharged to the outside through the opened outlet.

In operation S400, after the top cover tape is discharged through the outlet, the discharge guide rotates down by its weight to close the outlet, or an operator close the outlet manually.

When operations S100 and 200 are repeated after the outlet is closed in operation S400, the passage of the tape collector is filled with the top cover tape again. Accordingly, operations S300 and S400 may be repeated. That is, operations S100, S200, S300, and S400 can be repeated to automatically receive a predetermined amount of top cover tape in the tape collector and discharge the received top cover tape.

As described above, according to the present invention, the tape discharging apparatus receives a top cover tape separated from a carrier tape in a tape feeder and discharges the top cover tape stably.

Furthermore, in the tape discharging apparatus, when the tape collector is fully filled with a top cover tape, the discharge guide is rotated to open the outlet of the tape collector by a pushing force exerted by the fully filled top cover tape. Thus, the top cover tape filled in the tape collector can be automatically discharged to the outside through the outlet.

Therefore, a used top cover tape generated during an operation of a component mounter can be efficiently discharged and thus the surroundings of the chip mount can be kept clean since the top cover tape is received in the tape collector and discharged by a predetermined amount.

In addition, because of the groove formed in the top cover tape and the arrangement of the inlet, the outlet, the discharge guide, and the passage of the tape collector, the top cover tape can be smoothly move in the tape collector, and thus the tape collector can be uniformly filled with the top cover tape.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. An apparatus for discharging a tape, comprising: a tape collector including an inlet through which a top cover tape is introduced into the tape collector, an outlet through which the top cover tape is discharged from the tape collector, and a passage formed inside the tape collector to receive the top cover tape from the inlet and guide the top cover tape to the outlet; and a discharge guide rotatably installed inside the tape collector, the discharge guide being rotated to open the outlet by a pushing force exerted by the top cover tape fully filled in the passage, and the discharge guide returning to an original position to close the outlet after the top cover tape filled in the tape collector is discharged through the outlet.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the discharge guide comprises one end hinged proximate an upper wall of the passage and other end extending from the hinged end toward a lower wall of the passage, wherein the discharge guide is rotated upward to open the outlet by a pushing force exerted by the top cover tape fully filled in the passage and rotates downward by its weight after the top cover tape is discharged.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the inlet is higher than the outlet, and the passage slopes down from the inlet to the outlet.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the passage comprises: an inlet passage extending from the inlet and having a height increasing from the inlet to an inside of the passage; and an outlet passage formed between an inner side of the discharge guide and an inner wall of the passage when the discharge guide closes the outlet, the outlet passage having a height decreasing toward the outlet.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tape pulling unit including a first gear and a second gear that are engaged with each other and receive the top cover tape therebetween, the tape pulling unit being disposed at the inlet to insert the top cover tape into the tape collector through the inlet.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first gear comprises a protruded portion formed along its circumference, and the second gear comprises a groove formed along its circumference in correspondence with the protruded portion of the first gear, wherein the protruded portion of the first gear presses the top cover tape against the groove of the second gear so as to form a groove in the top cover tape in a longitudinal direction of the tape.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tape pulling unit further includes an inlet guide disposed at a side of the second gear to guide the top cover tape passing between the first and second gears toward the inlet of the tape collector.
 8. An apparatus for discharging a tape, comprising: a tape collector including an inlet through which a top cover tape is introduced into the tape collector, an outlet through which the top cover tape is discharged from the tape collector, and a passage formed inside the tape collector to receive the top cover tape from the inlet and guide the top cover tape to the outlet; a door coupled to a lower portion of the outlet and rotatable in a generally vertical direction to open and close the outlet; and a discharge guide including one end hinged on an upper wall of the passage, a connecting portion formed on other end of the discharge guide and inserted into an elongated slot of the door, and a supporting portion extending from the connecting portion to an outside of the door and supporting the door, wherein when the discharge guide is rotated up by a pushing force exerted by the top cover tape fully filled in the passage, the supporting portion of the discharge guide passes through an extension slot formed on an upper end of the elongated slot of the door to allow the door to rotate downward so as to open the outlet.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inlet is higher than the outlet, and at least a portion of the passage slopes down from the inlet to the outlet.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the passage comprises: an inlet passage extending from the inlet and having a height increasing from the inlet to an inside of the passage; and an outlet passage formed between an inner side of the discharge guide and an inner wall of the passage, the outlet passage having a height decreasing toward the outlet when the discharge guide closes the outlet.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a tape pulling unit including a first gear and a second gear that are engaged with each other and receive the top cover tape therebetween, the tape pulling unit being disposed at the inlet to insert the top cover tape into the tape collector through the inlet.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first gear comprises a protruded portion formed along its circumference, and the second gear comprises a groove formed along its circumference in correspondence with the protruded portion of the first gear, wherein the protruded portion of the first gear presses the top cover tape against the groove of the second gear so as to form a groove in the top cover tape in a longitudinal direction of the tape.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the tape pulling unit further includes an inlet guide disposed at a side of the second gear to guide the top cover tape passing between the first and second gears toward the inlet of the tape collector.
 14. A method of discharging a tape, comprising passing a top cover tape between a first gear and a second gear that are engaged with each other and disposed at an inlet of a tape collector so as to introduce the top cover tape into the tape collector through the inlet; filling a passage of the tape collector with the top cover tape as the top cover tape moves into the passage; allowing the top cover tape substantially fully filled in the tape collector to push up a discharge guide rotatably mounted on an upper wall of the passage and closing an outlet of the tape collector, so as to open the outlet and discharge the top cover tape filled in the passage to an outside of the tape collector; and after the top cover tape filled in the passage is discharged, allowing the discharge guide to rotate down by its weight to close the outlet and returning to the passing of the top cover tape.
 15. The method of claim 14, where the passing of the top cover tape comprises pressing the top cover tape between a protruded portion formed along a circumference of the first gear and a groove formed along a circumference of the second gear in correspondence with the protruded portion of the first gear, so as to form a groove in the top cover tape in a longitudinal direction of the tape.
 16. An apparatus for discharging a tape comprising: a tape pulling unit comprising a pair of complementary gears arranged to receive the tape therebetween, one of said pair of gears includes a protruded portion along its circumference and the other of said pair of gears includes a complementary groove along its circumference, wherein where the tape passes between the gears, the complementary protruded portion and the groove form a groove in the tape in a longitudinal direction of the tape.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 where the tape pulling unit further includes an inlet guide disposed adjacent one of the pair of gears to guide the tape and prevent the tape from wrapping around the gears. 